Property Of Michael G. Clifford

Chapter 4

It's been a few weeks since Michael and I went on our date and we've been on a few more. Today was Valentine's Day and I honestly couldn't care less about it. It was just some stupid holiday were its all about love and shit. I had to work today so I probably won't see Michael anyway. He did text me in the morning wishing me a happy Valentine's Day and I just responded with a thank you. I was almost done with my shift at the diner. I was cooking some hash browns with the sweat running down my forehead. The steam on the grill was super hot and steamy.
"Oh Carmen! There's someone here for you!" Vanessa sang to me.
"Coming!" I yelled back, putting the warm hash browns on a plate. I put the plate on the shelf, wiped the sweat off my face, and walked out for the diner. I was Vanessa staring at someone from the desk and I couldn't believe my eyes. Michael was standing there with a giant teddy bear, a box of chocolates, and some roses in his hand.
"Michael?!" I said, standing in shock.
"Yes? I got these for you babe. Happy Valentines Day!" He cheered. I grabbed the various objects and hugged him.
"OMG! You two are so cute! Let me get a photo!" Vanessa squealed. She got her phone out and took a photo of me and Michael.
"I'll send it to you." Vanessa told us. She walked to the back and left me and Michael alone in the front of the diner.
"Well, my shift just ended so I'll clock out and be right back." I told Michael, kissing his check. I sat down the things Michael gave me on a table and went to the back. When I clocked out, Vanessa looked my way and winked.
"Your so lucky, Carmen. You have a boyfriend and I'm forever single." She said sadly.
"You'll find someone Vanessa. I found someone, you will too!" I cooed.
"I hope so. See you tomorrow. Bye!" She waved. I walked out the diner with Michael and I got in his car.
"Oh, and I got you this." Michael said, pulling a square box from his pocket. I took it from his hands, opened it, and found a silver necklace. The silver chain shined in the sunlight as the circle charm glistened. I looked at the words that were embroidered on the platform and said,'Property of Michael G. Clifford.'
"Awwww! I love it Michael!" I said, hugging him.
"Anything for my princess." He smiled. Michael then drive me home and kissed me goodbye. As I walked inside, Ashton was sitting on the couch with Calum. They were watching SpongeBob (so mature), but when the door closed shut, there heads turned my way.
"Whoa! You got hella stuff!" Ashton said, almost dropping his bowl of trail-mix which I hadn't seen.
"Yup!" I blushed, holding my test bear close to my chest. Ashton started to whisper stuff in Calum's ear and he started nodding his head. After Ashton was done whispering in Calum's ear, he left the room and went upstairs.
"Carmen...can we talk?" Ashton asked.
"Uh...sure." I said, nervously. I put my gifts on the sofa chair and sat down next to Ashton.
"Listen...I've been looking at some collages lately and Uh..." Ashton stopped and ran his hands through his hair. I already knew where this is going.
"I found a really good one and the dorms there are free and...I got in." He said looking at me.
"Ashton I'm so happy...but are you...moving out?" I asked, holding his hand.
"Yeah...I really wanna become a singer and if I don't go to the collage...I don't know what will happen...but it's all the way in California." He said. My heart dropped. California? We live in North Dakota!
"Oh...Ashton, if your happy, I'm happy." I said smiling.
"Thank you so much Carmen. Your such an amazing friend." Ashton said, hugging me.
* 6 days later*
I looked through Ashton's now empty room, just to make sure he didn't leave anything behind.
"Did I leave anything?" Ashton asked, coming in the room.
"Nope...not a thing." I said, tears about to fall from my eyes.
"You know...this was my play room when I was little. I had my first ever sleepover with my friend Kelly in here. We laughed and screamed and danced...funny how I had to have a sleepover with my new best friend every night." I said, my voice cracking at the end.
"Oh Carmen!" Ashton cooed, pulling me on for a hug.
"I'm gonna mis you so much." I said in his ear.
"I'll miss u too." He said back. After our long hug, I put the last box in his car and watched him drive away to the airport. As soon as I couldn't see his car anymore, I closed the door and crashed down on the couch and cried. Ashton was my only close friend and he's gone. I know I'll see him again, it'll just be hard with him not being around as much.
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Authors Note: OMG I ACTULLY feel really bad for Carmen😔 Wow my dad and girlfriend are like low key fighting Rn help😭